5. Vinegar
White vinegar is a practical, low-cost deterrent that works particularly well around water features and hard surfaces. Experts say vinegar works as a snake deterrent. The most important reason is that vinegar is an acidic substance, and snakes are very sensitive to acidic substances, avoiding anything that is even slightly acidic. Spraying white vinegar around the perimeter of a water body can help keep snakes away, as the strong scent of vinegar can deter snakes, especially from areas where they might come to hydrate.
Pour undiluted white vinegar along fence lines, around pool edges, garden pond borders, and near foundation gaps. The effect is temporary, so this approach works best when applied consistently, especially during warmer months when snakes are more active. Because vinegar is non-toxic to soil and plants at typical use concentrations, it’s one of the safer options if you have a vegetable garden you’re trying to protect. It does, however, evaporate and lose potency quickly, so plan to reapply every few days or after any significant rainfall.